Rain Partier

This book read exactly like you would expect a video game nerd trying to write very tough and ballsy would--even though the book wasn't particularly humorous, it made me laugh the way some of the e-tough guys on this board do sometimes.

Rain Partier

This book read exactly like you would expect a video game nerd trying to write very tough and ballsy would--even though the book wasn't particularly humorous, it made me laugh the way some of the e-tough guys on this board do sometimes.

"Being offended is not to be confused with a state of grace; it’s the occasional price we all pay for living in an open society." -- Ian McEwan

Zombie Guard

House of J wrote:This book read exactly like you would expect a video game nerd trying to write very tough and ballsy would--even though the book wasn't particularly humorous, it made me laugh the way some of the e-tough guys on this board do sometimes.

Zombie Guard

House of J wrote:This book read exactly like you would expect a video game nerd trying to write very tough and ballsy would--even though the book wasn't particularly humorous, it made me laugh the way some of the e-tough guys on this board do sometimes.

******

by ****** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 3:34 pm

Dark Avengers: Ares #1

I've been going back and forth between excitement and dread for this comic. I'm a big fan of Kieron Gillen's Phonogram, but I hadn't read any of his Marvel work. I really like the character Ares and the original Oeming mini, but post-Ultron Initiative I don't think he's been used in ways that were all that interesting. I was super excited when Cary Nord was announced as the artist on the book, but for whatever reason that ended up not happening. Also there's that 'Dark' word in the title...

All bullshit aside, I ended up enjoying this. I liked Gillen's take on the character and while on the surface the Shades could have very much not worked, but I though it was executed well and I liked the book being from the perspective of one of the soldiers rather than Ares himself. My favorite thing about the book though was that even though it's a 'Dark Avengers' book, I didn't need to have been reading Dark Reign to follow the story.

I was really worried about the art in this after seeing the previews that were floating around. Those things were just all kinds of fugg. Luckily the printed version of the book looked better. Mostly I thought the art was good, but there are some panels in there that are horrid. I couldn't really tell how the inking duties were split up, but Stefano Gaudiano is a badass so I'm thinking maybe the portions of the book that I enjoyed probably had a lot to do with him. Jose Villarrubia always does great work and this was no exception. I'm not sure what Marvel did to frak up his work in those previews.

In a rare turn of events, this will actually be a Review Group pick where I go out and buy the next issue of the series.

Story: 8.5
Art: 6.5
Overall: 7.5

******

I've been going back and forth between excitement and dread for this comic. I'm a big fan of Kieron Gillen's Phonogram, but I hadn't read any of his Marvel work. I really like the character Ares and the original Oeming mini, but post-Ultron Initiative I don't think he's been used in ways that were all that interesting. I was super excited when Cary Nord was announced as the artist on the book, but for whatever reason that ended up not happening. Also there's that 'Dark' word in the title...

All bullshit aside, I ended up enjoying this. I liked Gillen's take on the character and while on the surface the Shades could have very much not worked, but I though it was executed well and I liked the book being from the perspective of one of the soldiers rather than Ares himself. My favorite thing about the book though was that even though it's a 'Dark Avengers' book, I didn't need to have been reading Dark Reign to follow the story.

I was really worried about the art in this after seeing the previews that were floating around. Those things were just all kinds of fugg. Luckily the printed version of the book looked better. Mostly I thought the art was good, but there are some panels in there that are horrid. I couldn't really tell how the inking duties were split up, but Stefano Gaudiano is a badass so I'm thinking maybe the portions of the book that I enjoyed probably had a lot to do with him. Jose Villarrubia always does great work and this was no exception. I'm not sure what Marvel did to frak up his work in those previews.

In a rare turn of events, this will actually be a Review Group pick where I go out and buy the next issue of the series.

Story: 8.5
Art: 6.5
Overall: 7.5

Last edited by ****** on Wed Oct 28, 2009 3:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.

******

by ****** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 3:35 pm

House of J wrote:This book read exactly like you would expect a video game nerd trying to write very tough and ballsy would--even though the book wasn't particularly humorous, it made me laugh the way some of the e-tough guys on this board do sometimes.

Fuck you motherfucker I liked it.

******

House of J wrote:This book read exactly like you would expect a video game nerd trying to write very tough and ballsy would--even though the book wasn't particularly humorous, it made me laugh the way some of the e-tough guys on this board do sometimes.

Expert Post Whore

I enjoyed Ares more than I thought I would. Wasn’t expecting a boot camp story, and I like book camp stories. Though my problem with Boot camp stories is that I’m usually lukewarm on what happens after the training is finished. The training portions of the movies like Full Mettle Jacket, Soldier, and Stripes are infinitely better than the rest of their movies. Will this series hold be after the first issue is what I’m pondering.

The premise is that Norman Osborn wants to see what kind of squad Ares God of War can put together. The story is told from the perspective of one of the soldiers in that squad. At times Ares is just as selfish and out of touch as his brother Hercules is usually written, but with a sadistic slant. Though it is revealed that there is a method to his madness. Ares is trying to make these men warriors in mind, body, and spirit.

The problem comes at the end of the book. The reveal for what the real story will be. With out saying to much, it plays off of what happened between Ares and Fury in last months Dark Avengers. That being the case, I have a feeling that the end of the Ares mini will be spoiled by one of the regular books before issue 3 hits the stands. It might end up similar to the Hood Mini Series. It was hard to feel the impact of the Hood mini when Dormamu was already exercised from him in New Avengers before issue 3 of the mini came out. Hell, the ending of this issue of Ares probably spoils some thing to happen in Secret Warriors (not sure since I don‘t get that book).

Ares #1 is a good start, but not sure if the next issues will be as good. I’ll probably get #2 at least.

Art 7.5
Story 7.5
Overall 7.5

(note: I'll probably be a part timer on the review group since I don't have a job at the moment. If a book isn't already on my list to buy, I'll probably have to pass for the moment.)

Expert Post Whore

I enjoyed Ares more than I thought I would. Wasn’t expecting a boot camp story, and I like book camp stories. Though my problem with Boot camp stories is that I’m usually lukewarm on what happens after the training is finished. The training portions of the movies like Full Mettle Jacket, Soldier, and Stripes are infinitely better than the rest of their movies. Will this series hold be after the first issue is what I’m pondering.

The premise is that Norman Osborn wants to see what kind of squad Ares God of War can put together. The story is told from the perspective of one of the soldiers in that squad. At times Ares is just as selfish and out of touch as his brother Hercules is usually written, but with a sadistic slant. Though it is revealed that there is a method to his madness. Ares is trying to make these men warriors in mind, body, and spirit.

The problem comes at the end of the book. The reveal for what the real story will be. With out saying to much, it plays off of what happened between Ares and Fury in last months Dark Avengers. That being the case, I have a feeling that the end of the Ares mini will be spoiled by one of the regular books before issue 3 hits the stands. It might end up similar to the Hood Mini Series. It was hard to feel the impact of the Hood mini when Dormamu was already exercised from him in New Avengers before issue 3 of the mini came out. Hell, the ending of this issue of Ares probably spoils some thing to happen in Secret Warriors (not sure since I don‘t get that book).

Ares #1 is a good start, but not sure if the next issues will be as good. I’ll probably get #2 at least.

Art 7.5
Story 7.5
Overall 7.5

(note: I'll probably be a part timer on the review group since I don't have a job at the moment. If a book isn't already on my list to buy, I'll probably have to pass for the moment.)

Last edited by prozacman on Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:40 pm, edited 3 times in total.